You’ve been dropped like a dream to the floor
You’ve been told not try anymore
But you’re waking from yesterday’s war
Cause you’re a survivor

And your strength has been stolen away
And your faith has been worn to a fray
But you live to live one more day
Cause you’re a survivor

Nothing can stop you now
Nothing can back you down
You never give up, never give in
You’re a survivor
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa

For the phone call that tore you apart
For the fear that gripped your heart
For the moment you saw who you are
And what you’re made of

For the cancer that stole all your hair
For the smile like you just don’t care
For your hope in a midnight prayer
You’re a survivor

I’m convinced neither death nor life
Neither demons nor angels of light
Shadows present or future light
Can separate us

From the love that will lead us on
To the hope when all hope is gone
Till the day heaven calls us home
We are survivors


(Romans 8:37) Written by Matthew West © 2010 External Combustion Music / Songs For Delaney / Songs Of Southside Independent Music Publishing, LLC (Admin. by Wixen Music Publishing, LLC) (ASCAP)

Behind the Song:
"I was 31 with a two year old son and nine month old daughter. I noticed a lump, called my doctor, but she dismissed my concerns and said I was too young for breast cancer. I felt an urgency from the Lord to schedule a mammogram and the radiologist referred me to a surgeon. I remember the day the doctor told me I had cancer. Fear gripped my stomach. I knew I would go to heaven, but I wanted to raise my two children. I didn't share my diagnosis with anyone at church but the next Sunday a friend was praying for me and began to cry and told me she was led to pray for me, and two other women said they knew the Devil was attacking me. After that I told others and received support from my church family. After 6 months of chemo and radiation my husband moved out and my marriage eventually ended. The Lord provided for me and I kept my home and had health insurance. One month after the divorce I found another lump under my arm. This time I felt fear like never before. This meant the cancer had spread. My doctor told me I had to have even tougher chemo this time. My family and church prayed with me for God's healing. After several tests the doctor said I had a rare recurrence where the cancer had not spread to the rest of my body. I know God healed me!"

Matthew’s commentary:
"I received hundreds of stories from people who are battling Cancer, or have a friend or family member battling this disease that claims so many lives. I had to write a song about those who are forced to fight this battle of Cancer. One woman from Washington has battled cancer not once, but twice in her life. At one point in her battle with this life threatening disease, her husband left her. I read her story and thought, ‘if anyone has a right to give up, she does!’ But she isn’t giving up. She’s going strong with a will to live, and a determination to never give up. If you want to see strength, walk through the cancer ward at a hospital. This is a song honoring some of the strongest people on this planet, even the ones who have lost their battle with Cancer. The legacy lives on in their family and friends. They too are survivors. The last verse of the song is taken from Romans chapter 8, a chapter that reminds us that we are victorious because not even death could separate us from the love of God. We are all survivors."